Our priority is to protect our Service members, Department of Defense (DOD) civilians and families to safeguard national security capabilities and support the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The DOD has an independent but collaborative program with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to provide COVID-19 vaccines to DOD uniformed service members. This includes active duty, Guard/Reserve, retirees, family members, civilian employees and selected DOD contract personnel.
All eligible and authorized TRICARE beneficiaries can make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, as available, at a DOD vaccination site.
The vaccine itself is offered at no cost, but there may be a cost based on your plan for an office visit or if you require follow-on care. Wherever you eventually receive your vaccination, please remember you'll need to check availability before showing up. To find out more, please visit www.tricare.mil/COVIDVaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccines
The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for everyone six months and older. FDA-approved or authorized COVID-19 vaccines currently available to all U.S. citizens and residents are Pfizer-BioNTech-COMIRNATY®, Moderna-Spikevax, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free.
- Getting the vaccine can reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalizations and long-term complications for COVID-19.
- For children, the vaccine can also curb community transmission and reduce disruptions to in-person learning activities.
To learn more, visit the CDC website to get answers to frequently asked questions, see Interim Clinical Considerations, and bust myths about vaccines. Visit the "COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens" page, to learn more about vaccines for children.
Booster Doses
COVID-19 vaccine boosters can further enhance or restore protection that might have decreased over time after your primary series vaccination. People are protected best from severe COVID-19 illness when they stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting all recommended boosters when eligible.